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America's Cup expected to go on after fatal capsizing during training

May 11, 2013, 12:51 pm
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By News staff

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- The head of the America's Cup planning effort said Saturday he expects sailing's most prestigious event to go forward after the death of a sailor on a training run in the San Francisco Bay.

In an interview Saturday morning, Stephen Barclay said he would await the results of an internal examination of Thursday's accident before making the formal decision. Barclay also said a decision in whether to make safety changes to the boats or the course will be made after the results are released.

Reggata director Iain Murray is heading the probe.

Olympic gold medal winner Andrew "Bart" Simpson, 36, was killed when he was trapped under the wreckage of the Artemis Racing sailboat that capsized during a training run. Barclay said investigators are expected to announce a probable cause of the wreck early next week.

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Union, National Grid reach tentative agreement, union says

May 11, 2013, 7:40 pm
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By News staff


Utility workers and National Grid reached a tentative agreement Saturday night on a new contract, a spokesman for the Brotherhood of Utility Workers Council and Local 369 said.

Dan Hurley, president of the council, said the agreement came after weeks of negotiations. It will be put to a vote of the membership on Monday, May 20, he said.

There was no immediate confirmation from National Grid.

Negotiations had focused on proposed increases in health-care costs for union members and the issue of staffing levels, "which is so crucial to public safety and adequate storm response," Hurley said in a statement.

"Through these ongoing negotiations and with the assistance of a federal mediator, we believe we have reached an agreement that provides important protections for our hardworking men and women and the communities that we serve," Hurley said.

Specific details of the tentative agreement were not immediately available. The agreement came as a midnight deadline loomed Saturday.

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PolitiFact R.I. finds problems in claims about sex offender notification costs

May 12, 2013, 3:00 am
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By C. Eugene Emery Jr.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Rhode Island state law says residents must be notified if a Level 2 or Level 3 (moderate or high-risk) sex offender is living in their neighborhood.

politifact-generic-150.jpg

Read the PolitiFact ruling

The costs associated with that requirement were raised at an April 11 General Assembly hearing on a bill that would shift responsibility for the notifications from local police departments to the Department of Public Safety, which includes the state police.

During the hearing, Rep. Peter Palumbo, D-Cranston, and Joee Lindbeck, a special assistant attorney general, commented on the costs of the notifications.

Lindbeck said Providence had spent $50,000 a year just on notifying its school department about sex offenders.

Palumbo said such notifications cost the city of Cranston "somewhere between $5,000 and $6,000," per Level 3 offender.

PolitiFact Rhode Island examined both claims and ruled Palumbo's False and Lindbeck's Half True. Read the complete analysis of each claim here.

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Postal Service plans to move East Greenwich office

May 12, 2013, 5:24 am
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By News staff

The U.S. Postal Service will present a proposal to the East Greenwich Town Council on Monday to move its retail counter to a new, smaller space and move delivery operations to North Kingstown.

The move is planned as part of the postal service's nationwide effort to cut costs amid a budget crisis.

The Postal Service said it hasn't decided where to move yet, but that its space in East Greenwich amounts to 19,000 square feet. The service says the move will not affect mail delivery. (Associated Press)

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Crash in Providence sends one to hospital

May 12, 2013, 5:31 am
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By News staff

One person was taken to the hospital following a crash just before midnight Saturday at the intersection of Gano and Wickenden Streets in Providence.

Police said a pickup truck crashed into a utility pole.

The identity and condition of the person injured was not available, according to WPRI.

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Sunday's weather: Showers to partial sun

May 12, 2013, 5:49 am
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By News staff

Look for off-and-on showers Sunday morning, then partly sunny skies into the afternoon High temperatures will be near 71 degrees. There will be a 30% chance of a quick shower or thunderstorm in the afternoon. It will be breezy with winds out of the west-southwest at 10-15 mph with some gusts near 25 mph.

Sunday evening will be mostly clear with lows in the low 40s.

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Security is heavy for graduation at UMass-Dartmouth Sunday

May 12, 2013, 11:30 am
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By Tracy Breton

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Providence Journal photo / Freida Squires

Bob Gillan of the Quincy Police Department and his dog Ronan were one of six K-9 units on campus for the UMass-Dartmouth graduation.

DARTMOUTH, Mass. -- There was a heavy security presence on the 710-acre campus of the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth Sunday as 1,369 undergraduates received degrees from the institution where one of the Boston bombing suspects was enrolled.

Police from a half-dozen law enforcement agencies and bomb-sniffing dogs roamed the area on campus where an estimated 11,000 family members and friends gathered on Mother's Day to watch the graduates receive their degrees.

Because of the beefed up security and the threat of rain -- which forced the ceremony inside from an amphitheater to a huge tent that was large enough to accommodate 7,000 --the start of the graduation was pushed back an hour. Attendees were lined up for blocks as a private security firm checked everyone's handbags and totes as they entered the tent. Others watched from remote locations. .

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Today in RI history

May 12, 2013, 7:46 pm
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By Thomas J. Morgan

On May 12, 2012
A year ago today:
Students who are in the state illegally and graduate from Rhode Island high schools are eligible for the in-state tuition rate if they decide to go to a state college or university.

On May 12, 2008
5 years ago today:
Two lawmakers have sponsored bills that would allow the state to finish the demolition of the old Jamestown Bridge. A portion of the old bridge was left standing because the state is required by law to retain a span on the North Kingstown side for use as a fishing pier.

On May 12, 1988
25 years ago today:
The Navy last year pumped more than $687 million, not counting defense contracts, into Rhode Island's economy, according to a report released by the Navy.

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Today in RI history

May 12, 2013, 9:01 pm
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By Thomas J. Morgan

On May 13, 2012
A year ago today:
The Class of 2012 is leaving college with something that many graduates since the start of the Great Recession have lacked: jobs. To the relief of graduating seniors -- and their anxious parents -- the outlook is brighter than it has been in four years.

On May 13, 2008
5 years ago today:
The Coast Guard rescues a surfer who was blown about two miles into Block Island Sound from Matunuck Point by high winds.

On May 13, 1988
25 years ago today:
A District Court judge lowers bail for Michael Rogers, who has been arrested 59 times for break-ins, theft and driving stolen cars, after Rogers' lawyer complained the state has failed to file several charges in Superior Court in a timely manner.

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Aretha Franklin pulls out of Foxwoods show under doctor's orders

May 13, 2013, 1:04 pm
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By Features staff
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Charles Sykes / Invision / AP, File

In this file photo, Aretha Franklin performed Saturday during McDonald's Gospelfest 2013 in Newark, N.J.

NEW YORK (AP) -- Aretha Franklin has canceled appearances in Chicago and Connecticut later this month under a doctor's recommendation.

A Monday news release says Franklin will need treatment during the time period shows were scheduled with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra on May 20 and at Foxwoods Resort & Casino in Mashantucket, Conn., on May 26. The release doesn't specify what kind of treatment and her publicist did not immediately respond to a message seeking details.

Singer Janelle Monae will step in for Franklin for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Corporate Night fundraiser. The Grammy-winning singer will be playing orchestral versions of her songs that she'll first debut Thursday with the San Francisco Symphony.

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Masked man with bolt cutter damages North Kingstown school

May 13, 2013, 1:05 pm
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By Thomas J. Morgan
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Photo courtesy North Kingstown Police

A suspect is seen on school department video entering Davisville Middle School.

NORTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. -- A man caught on a surveillance camera carrying a a bolt cutter broke into the Davisville Middle School early Monday and did extensive damage, according to police.

The culprit wore a white mask.

The police asked that anyone who recognizes the individual call investigators at (401) 294-3316, ext. 8211, or the anonymous TIPS line at 294-3316 ext. 8411, or e-mail TIPS@northkingstown.org

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U.S. Rep. Cicilline "outraged" to hear of IRS targeting conservative groups

May 13, 2013, 1:06 pm
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By Donita Naylor

cicilline_80a.jpgPAWTUCKET, R.I. -- U.S. Rep. David N. Cicilline issued the following statement about a disclosure that the Internal Revenue Service targeted conservative organizations for increased scrutiny.

"Among the core principles of our democracy is the idea that the government exists to help all its citizens, regardless of their political beliefs. I am outraged to learn that certain members of the IRS may have engaged in a concerted effort to apply political pressure on citizens who were seeking to exercise their First Amendment rights to petition the government. I am confident that President Obama will work to get to the bottom of this and ensure that all those responsible for wrongdoing are held fully accountable."

Mr. Obama told reporters "there's no place" for "intentionally targeting conservative groups."

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Cranston's personnel director resigns

May 13, 2013, 1:19 pm
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By Paul Davis

CRANSTON, R.I. -- Personnel Director Susan Bello, who sued city officials last year, has resigned.

It's unclear what will happen next, said Carlos Lopez, Mayor Allan Fung's chief of staff.

The position is required by the city charter, he said. "Everything is fluid right now."

Bello sued city and school officials last year after they agreed to merge the city's personnel department with the school department's operation.

Bello argued the officials had no authority to eliminate her position as part of a consolidation plan.

A Superior Court judge later blocked officials from discharging Bello. The court case remains active, city lawyers said last week.

To date, the city has spent about $46,000 on the lawsuit, they said.

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Rhode Island State Police charge 11, including tractor-trailer driver, with drunken driving

May 13, 2013, 2:22 pm
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By Donita Naylor

SCITUATE, R.I. -- Rhode Island State Police arrested 11 people on suspicion of drunken driving over the weekend, including one who was driving a tractor-trailer, a news release from State Police Supt. Steven G. O'Donnell said Monday.

All are charged with driving under the influence. In each case, two blood-alcohol levels are given, or the person refused a BAC test. They are:

Joselin Bruno, 24; 527 Manton Ave., Providence, operating on suspended license.

Darryl Pope, 62; 70 Ardoene St., Providence, .158, .152.

Susan Laodenio, 46; 129 Park Holm, Newport, .183, .199.

Christian Galvin, 39; 192 W. Springfield St., Boston.

Joshua Dempsey, 31; 15 Case St., Warwick, 185, .195.

Emmett Reedy, 23; 70 Whitehall Ave., Buffalo, N.Y., .119, .130.

Germano Daluz, 45; 21 Appleton Ave., Pawtucket.

Isabel Taveras, 29; 11 Bowdoin St, Providence, suspended license.

Domingo Isabel, 40; 66 Harding Ave., Johnston, .161, .166.

Michael W. Fleischhauers, 42; 1215 7th St., Apt. 2, North Bergen, N.J., operating a tractor-trailer. Blood test results are pending.

Dylan McNally, 22; 198 Vincent Ave., East Providence.

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Chafee still plans administrator raises despite $50M fall in revenue projections

May 13, 2013, 2:32 pm
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By Katherine Gregg

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- State revenue projections have dropped by more than $50 million, but that has not changed Governor Chafee's mind about giving compounded raises of 3 percent in June and another 3 percent at the end of December to the 14 top administrators in state government, according to a spokeswoman.

Chafee spokeswoman Christine Hunsinger said the back-to-back raises are "merit salary adjustments'' for people in positions that have not seen raises in years. She said the raises are equivalent to what other state employees got in 2011, at a cost for this small group of state agency directors of $111,590.

As for what the raises of this magnitude might signal to other state workers awaiting the outcome of contract negotiations, she said any attempt to link the directors' raises to anything else "would be a mistake. This is a sole issue.''

State law gives the House and Senate 30 days from receiving the governor's proposal to say no. The deadline falls Sunday. Legislative leaders have not said what, if anything, they will do.

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Langevin 'deeply disturbed' by allegations IRS targeted conservative groups

May 13, 2013, 2:33 pm
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By Donita Naylor

WARWICK, R.I. -- U.S. Rep. Jim Langevin responded to the report of Internal Revenue Service employees targeting conservative groups for additional scrutiny, by issuing the following statement:

"I am deeply disturbed by the recent reports of inappropriate targeting by Internal Revenue Service employees. All citizens must be able to trust that they will receive fair treatment and equal protection from our government, regardless of their political beliefs. These actions require careful and immediate scrutiny, and I am confident that President Obama will move quickly to ensure [that] a thorough investigation occurs and all responsible parties are held accountable."

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Central Falls' police chief accepted into Harvard program

May 13, 2013, 2:57 pm
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By W. Zachary Malinowski

CENTRAL FALLS -- Police Chief James J. Mendonca is heading to Harvard.
Mayor James Diossa announced on Monday that Mendonca, who was appointed chief earlier this year has been accepted into Harvard University's executive education program, Leadership Decision Making.

The program will run from June 23-28 at the Kennedy School of Government on Harvard's Cambridge campus.

"I am proud that our city has a chief of police who constantly seeks to improve himself and his department in order to better serve and protect our community," Diossa said.

The leadership program is being funded through a fellowship sponsored by the Hassenfeld Foundation.

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Sen. Jack Reed calls for IRS investigation over handling of tea party groups

May 13, 2013, 3:05 pm
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By Donita Naylor

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- U.S. Sen. Jack Reed said "The IRS was wrong" in singling out tea party-affiliated organizations when they applied for tax-exempt status under section 501(c)(4) of the federal tax code, which waives taxes for social and welfare groups and allows them -- unlike other charities -- to participate in political activities if their "primary" activity is social welfare.

Reed's statement continued:

"This kind of allegation demands a serious investigation, and there must be one. The appropriate way to clarify whether any group is following the laws governing nonprofits is greater transparency when it comes to political activity."

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Sen. Whitehouse sees obtaining 'phony tax status' as equally wrong

May 13, 2013, 3:39 pm
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By Donita Naylor

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse issued the following statement about the reports that the Internal Revenue Service targeted conservative political groups:

"Targeting groups ... based on their political views is disturbing and wrong. But so is lying to the government to achieve phony tax status and hide the donors behind political attack ads. Even though the targeting appears to be a local problem of a career employee, it may cause the IRS to be even more timid enforcing the laws on election spending. All groups -- liberal and conservative -- should abide by our laws and our laws should be enforced."

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Portsmouth firefighters extricate man from overturned vehicle on East Main Road

May 13, 2013, 3:47 pm
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By Donita Naylor
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Photo courtesy Portsmouth Police

A vehicle overturns at East Main Road in Portsmouth, trapping its driver.


PORTSMOUTH, R.I. -- Firefighters worked for 10 minutes extricating a man from an overturned vehicle at East Main Road and Sprague Street, Deputy Chief Michael P. O'Brien said in a news release Monday evening.

The sole occupant was trapped in the vehicle, which was resting on its passenger side. The man was taken to Rhode Island Hospital with injuries that were apparently not life threatening.

Earlier Monday, Portsmouth firefighters extricated a woman after a head-on collision at West Main Road and Locust Avenue. She did not survive.

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